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Under The Iron Sea
by
Under The Iron Sea Image
Metascore
63

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 125 Ratings

  • Summary: Album number two for the stadium-friendly, piano-led British trio follows two years after the unexpected mega-success of their debut 'Hopes And Fears.'

Top Track

Is It Any Wonder?
I, I always thought that I knew I'd always have the right to Be living in the kingdom of the good and true And so on, but now I think I was... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 24
  3. Negative: 2 out of 24
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    Aside from a single misstep (the title track, an instrumental that could serve as the too-ponderous theme for an art film about the rise and fall of Atlantis), the strings and things work well, adding density and drama.
  2. AllMusic
    70
    Die-hard fans might rush to judge Under the Iron Sea as sounding a bit too much like U2.
  3. Dot Music
    70
    Despite the rousing music and the earnestness of Tom Chaplin's voice, Keane still sing passionately about not very much in particular.
  4. Paste Magazine
    60
    Keane knows its niche and plays it well. [Aug 2006, p.97]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Blender
    60
    Beautiful but strangely unhinged. [Jul 2006, p.100]
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  6. Mojo
    60
    Their new direction sounds suspiciously like the old one. [Jul 2006, p.100]
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  7. Stylus Magazine
    25
    Keane have talked up Under the Iron Sea as being bleaker, more raw than their debut album. It is about the things they have seen over the last two years, the problems, the horrors, the sin. But Keane have not been uncovering the carcases of napalmed babies for the last two years. They’ve been playing music.

See all 24 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 50 out of 58
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 58
  3. Negative: 2 out of 58
  1. DH
    Jun 25, 2006
    10
    Another great album from Keane. I don't know how the critics cannot hear how good this music really is. As far as pop/rock goes this the Another great album from Keane. I don't know how the critics cannot hear how good this music really is. As far as pop/rock goes this the best stuff you are going to hear. The lyrics are good and when Chaplin sings, unlike most of his contemporaries, you can actually make out the words he is singing, unlike most crappy music today when you just wait for the "hook" and hardly listen to the words. This band is amazing and it seems like they made up a guitar in this album by using some sort of synthesizer for some songs. This is the best album of 2006.… Expand
  2. ShellV
    Oct 24, 2007
    10
    I love this CD! UTIS is a very brilliant and lovely album. I am proud to listen to a band that has their own unique sound. I just love the I love this CD! UTIS is a very brilliant and lovely album. I am proud to listen to a band that has their own unique sound. I just love the melodies! My favorites are "Hamburg Song", "Atlantic", "Try Again", really just about all of them. It is really moving and inspiring, i have no idea what the critics are thinking... The depth and emotion of Iron Sea is unsurpassed, and it is a breath of fresh air compared to what other stuff is out today. I can't tell any of these other bands apart.… Expand
  4. JorgeP
    Apr 22, 2007
    10
    One of the best albums in history.
  5. TimH
    Jul 28, 2006
    9
    Maybe it's too poppy, maybe it's too pretty, maybe it sounds too much like their first one... maybe it sounds like they're Maybe it's too poppy, maybe it's too pretty, maybe it sounds too much like their first one... maybe it sounds like they're copying too many other bands. I couldn't really care less. It's beautiful, and I love it.… Expand
  6. CraigD
    Jan 21, 2007
    8
    A great follow-up to a fantastic debut. "A Bad Dream" and "Leaving So Soon" stand out for me, whilst even the slower songs like "Hamburg A great follow-up to a fantastic debut. "A Bad Dream" and "Leaving So Soon" stand out for me, whilst even the slower songs like "Hamburg Song" have their own appeal. True, it isn't much darker in sound (only lyrically), but this is nevertheless a fantastically pleasant album, with just the one filler song. This will probably end up being the most underrated album of 2006...Shame that three-chord emo rock has taken over from the truly enchanting melodies that real bands, such as Keane, consistently churn out. Wonderful stuff.… Expand
  7. TennesseeJed
    Jun 23, 2006
    8
    A much better overall album than "Hopes..." - some critics just can't enjoy expertly crafted pop music!
  8. JohnL
    Aug 29, 2006
    0
    the worst pop record I've ever listened to.

See all 58 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

46
#46 Most Discussed Album of 2006

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